Is Anyone Surprised? Shuman Finishes Taking Over Moms For Marijuana

Aimee, left, and Cheryl Shuman, now officially control Moms For Marijuana [CherylShuman.com]

Was anybody dumb enough not to see this coming? In a move which probably didn’t surprise anyone in the cannabis community who has remotely been paying any attention, Cheryl Shuman on Friday announced the official completion of her takeover of Moms For Marijuana International, the formerly grassroots group over which Shuman acquired day-to-day control last fall. It’s now the Cheryl Shuman Show.

“Cheryl Shuman, Inc. is a business development company and acquisition vehicle,” at least, according to her website. [Beverly Hills Cannabis Club]

Shuman’s heavy handed takeover of the formerly grassroots organization alienated most of the rank and file membership across the United States and the globe; her clumsy power play managed to piss off Moms chapters as far away as the Philippines, and chapter after chapter either quit the organization in disgust, or found themselves tossed out for questioning Shuman’s methods and motives.

The entire Moms For Marijuana Board of Directors resigned in protest of both Serra Frank’s refusal to turn over financial records requested by the board, and Shuman’s subsequent takeover after taking Frank under her financial wing. Moms For Marijuana’s Lindsey Rinehart, in November, announced on these pages that “I Will No Longer Be Silent About Cheryl Shuman,” and then Moms For Marijuana Assistant Executive Director Candace R. Junkin in December told her story of what happened, also right here on the pages of Toke Signals.

Despite repeated claims during the midst of brouhaha which followed Shuman’s power play — through which she used the weak link in the chain, Moms founder Serra Frank, as a means of seizing control of the organization — Cheryl insisted that she was “only helping Serra” by providing financial assistance and advice. She denied she had any designs on “taking over” the organization, and a few poor credulous souls might even have bought it.

But the inevitable word finally came down in a Friday press release headlined “World’s Largest Women’s Marijuana Organization Moms for Marijuana Appoints Mother-Daughter Team – Cheryl and Aimee Shuman As New Executive Director and Deputy Director,” so apparently Cheryl wanted to go ahead and nail down a line of succession, as well.

The press release, which describes Cheryl and Aimee as “the vibrant mother-daughter team,” tells us that “Cheryl Shuman will take the role of Executive Director, bringing her 25 years of public relations, media, product branding, and business development to the blossoming non-profit organization.”

Outgoing Executive Director Serra Frank reportedly at least got another nice outfit and a facial beauty treatment out of the deal, paid for by Cheryl on a visit this month to Shuman in Beverly Hills, after having already “won” one similar “Queen for a Day” trip at Shuman’s expense, back when she handed over control. She reportedly got a new dress and a hairdo, that time.

Candace Junkin, former assistant executive director at Moms For Marijuana: “I try to find good in everyone”

“Cheryl and Aimee have accomplished so much extraordinary progress in cannabis reform, world wide, reaching millions of parents through the utilization of mainstream media,” Frank claims in a press release from Shuman. “It was an easy decision.”

“Everything I have ever seen them do has been historic and monumental in cannabis reform,” Frank claimed, raising the interesting academic question of whether anyone knows of anything Aimee Shuman has actually done, let alone anything historic and monumental in cannabis reform.

“Together, they will lead the Executive Direction of Moms for Marijuana into the future,” Frank assures us (you’ll have to imagine her wearing her nice new outfit from Shuman while she says it).

“I’ve known Serra for many years now and have always been inspired by her vision and dedication to moms and parents around the world,” said Shuman, who installed herself as executive director due to Frank’s “departure.” “I am honored by the opportunity to join such a dynamic and ambitious organization, with such a clear and focused mission — improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable, women and children.”

Frank will retain a ceremonial position as “Founding Director” of Moms For Marijuana, also known as being put out to pasture.

Aimee Shuman, for her part, was quick to focus on the financial aspects of suddenly being in control of a worldwide organization with a media presence and thousands of members. “After all, women buy 85 percent of all household and consumer products, according to Adweek,” Aimee said. “As an entrepreneur, it’s exciting to be on the ground floor of the cutting edge of making news and witnessing the convergence of celebrity and cannabis culture.”

“The right leadership is everything,” Frank said. (Am I the only one who can barely make my way through the thick irony here?) “Working with Cheryl and Aimee these past few years, it was evident immediately that it was a perfect fit in terms of values, integrity and personality.

But strangely enough, Hempfest seemed to quickly get “buyer’s remorse” after awarding Shuman, and all references to the award were scrubbed from the Hempfest website after the Moms For Marijuana scandal broke late in 2013. It’s now all but impossible to find any mention online of what had been a highly touted award — the only one of its kind ever awarded by Hempfest, we think, at least, since Hempfest apparently just doesn’t wanna talk about it, anymore.

“I really, really try not to hate ANYONE,” Candace Junkin told Toke Signals. “Not anyone. I try to find good in everyone and I even tried to find it in Cheryl. But I can honestly and ashamedly say, I ABHOR that woman.”

“I didn’t understand the depth of her depravity until it was too late,” Junkin told us. “If I knew then the things that I know now, Cheryl Shuman would NEVER have been a part of Moms For Marijuana.”

“I feel like if it weren’t for her, Serra and I could have fixed it all,” Candace told me.

After Toke Signals linked to this article on Cheryl Shuman’s site, the page was taken down.(The Shuman award video had already been taken down, presumably at an embarrassed Hempfest’s request after the Moms For marijuana scandal blew up last fall.) Hey, Cheryl: Aren’t you proud of your Hempfest award, anymore?Hey, Rectal Russ: Still lying about there and being onstage? Just for something different, be a man for once and own it. LOL…

62 Comments

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hempyhh
on July 4, 2014 at 6:41 am

Hempfest gave the first activist of the year award to Douglas Hiatt in 2011, and the second to Ric Smith in 2012.

RayChristlTHC
on July 3, 2014 at 2:19 pm

I’m late to the party here,and trying to find the specific data against Cheryl ? I’m friends with her on FB/Twitter ,and see nothing but overdoing it a bit.

I respect all the ladies in the story, but what is the rap against her besides her Jewish Amerikan Princess stylin’ ? Her rebrand ideas rub hippies wrong–so what ?

Her two hour video of MSM appearances is huge & Mom’s got massive exposure, so where is the problem ?

RayChristlTHC
on July 3, 2014 at 2:11 pm

if you aren’t the solution then you are the prob-= logical fallacy of False Dichotomy. Many other possible positions than those two.

djfact
on July 2, 2014 at 9:30 pm

>:(

Jetdoc
on May 28, 2014 at 7:35 am

But at some point Steve, doesn’t it become bad for the movement itself? I mean “call out” what you feel is wrong! I’m all for that, as long as it’s about the issues! When it starts to get “personal” though, is when people start tuning out and thinking we’re NOTHING but “ole hippies”… I’m with Fairuse here… I read and listen to BOTH of you, as long as it’s about the issues. The second it starts to get personal, I get disinterested. If I do that and I’m involved in the movement, what do you think the casual reader who’s looking for “VALID News” about Cannabis does?

TokePIGnals
on May 23, 2014 at 8:01 pm

I think Cheryl is a lot like other people in the creative industry, crazy-ass behavior included. Elliott behaves 1000x worse with his woman-hating, he’s a creative too. That he would think for one moment that he is morally superior to Cheryl is pure comedy.

Crissie Brocksmith
on May 23, 2014 at 3:19 pm

I read enough to know to steer clear of her and her organization. I don’t know her personally but there seems to be something not quite right and that’s enough for me. We have our issues in my state, I’ve tried to get involved but keep running into doors. Oh well. This is very important to me and others I’ve been lucky enough to meet. I’ll keep trying 🙂

shelly
on May 23, 2014 at 12:05 pm

I have witnesses it on facebook and it is Cheryl doing the attacking. She uses peoples names and puts their private info on there. She does a copy and paste of private messages and blasts them over and over on fb. I don’t really know her, but she is hurting the movement in my opinion.

shelly
on May 23, 2014 at 11:54 am

It seems so many people have tried to give Cheryl the respect they would give any activist. Then you see her doing crazy, psycho things on facebook and you just want to never see her face or name again. I had enough after seeing her attacking a child with cancer’s parents on facebook. She does the copy and paste of emails from months and months ago and repeats the same thing over and over. Maybe she has PTSD or something, but her behavior is not normal and she turns off the activists.

poppytrail
on May 21, 2014 at 7:58 am

wow,did you read what i just read?i didnt see any sexism in the article.cheryl shuman could be a squirrel for all i care.her actions speak for her character and morals.sex has nothing to do with it.if you are not the solution then you are the problem..one love little sister

Shuman the Inhuman
on May 20, 2014 at 5:55 pm

Steve Elliott is right, this Women is a piece of work, bad work!
I will not go into her personality or how she operates but I have had some extreme bad vibes from her!

TokePIGnals
on May 15, 2014 at 6:29 pm

And those are all worthy topics to discuss and criticize. But my ears disengage the minute the cave man talk comes out. I don’t have a horse in this race. But if you ask me, the invective at women in particular stands out head and shoulders above any so-called “journalism” here at TokePIGnals on a regular basis.

waltinseattle
on May 15, 2014 at 11:52 am

when your invaded by corporacrats, fight, or be absorbed.

waltinseattle
on May 15, 2014 at 11:49 am

because bling is still bribe? still payoff? not to mention theres an elitist privrlege aspect in play?

newlibertarian
on May 15, 2014 at 4:15 am

Russ and Steve make such a lovely couple…

Maria
on May 14, 2014 at 11:18 pm

I think this story could have done without the blatant sexism and hate for women. It’s clear that Elliott has issues with women that are not so different from the kkk’s issues with black people. Why is it necessary to speak in a hateful narrative that includes multiple references to new dresses, cosmetics, etc? Get over it Elliott, women are no longer arm candy for weed dealers – they are leaders and business women in the cannabis world. I don’t really care who is right or wrong in this story, it’s WRONG to be such a sexist pig. And I for one will never do business with any advertiser buying spots on your site just like I won’t do business with advertisers that do business with racist or anti-gay sites.

painkills2
on May 14, 2014 at 11:02 pm

Are you under the impression that these guys care what you think? Just sayin.

Steve Elliott ~alapoet~
on May 14, 2014 at 10:53 pm

Everyone involved is evidently so PROUD of Shuman’s Hempfest award that they’ve now TAKEN DOWN THE PAGE in response to my linking to it, above…

Fortunately, I expected such a chicken-shit response and had already taken a screen shot. 😀

Steve Elliott ~alapoet~
on May 14, 2014 at 10:05 pm

No, and you apparently didn’t drink that big cup of Shut The Fuck Up of which YOU’RE in such urgent need.

Go ahead and do that now – thanks!

MJ Mathisen
on May 14, 2014 at 7:30 pm

Me too. Steve Elliott, did you ever get that psychiatric help you were in such desperate need of?

MJ Mathisen
on May 14, 2014 at 7:29 pm

Steve Elliott, did you ever get that psychiatric help you were in such desperate need of?

Fairuse
on May 14, 2014 at 4:41 pm

Fair enough, Steve. I’ll keep reading your articles and Russ’s.
Start working out that cane shaking arm so you can keep one up on him.

Steve Elliott ~alapoet~
on May 14, 2014 at 4:28 pm

Rectal Russ, have I reminded you lately that you’re a Full of Shit Liar?

“I can’t believe that I just won the National Activist of the Year award at the Seattle Hempfest!!!!! How awesome is that? It is such a thrill to attend the Seattle Hempfest this year! I am speaking on all three days. Wild huh? Check this video out with my daughter filming Vivian McPeak and John Davis giving me the award, Jodie Emery, Serra Frank, Russ Belville and others joining in to congratulate me. I cried I was so moved! 🙂 I recently signed with William Morris Endeavor to develop a reality series evolving around my work in the movement and in building my companies etc. Please share, like, comment, G+, tweet etc :)”

~ Cheryl Shuman (*of course)

Steve Elliott ~alapoet~
on May 14, 2014 at 4:27 pm

Rectal Russ, have I reminded you lately that you’re a Full of Shit Liar?

“I can’t believe that I just won the National Activist of the Year award at the Seattle Hempfest!!!!! How awesome is that? It is such a thrill to attend the Seattle Hempfest this year! I am speaking on all three days. Wild huh? Check this video out with my daughter filming Vivian McPeak and John Davis giving me the award, Jodie Emery, Serra Frank, Russ Belville and others joining in to congratulate me. I cried I was so moved! 🙂 I recently signed with William Morris Endeavor to develop a reality series evolving around my work in the movement and in building my companies etc. Please share, like, comment, G+, tweet etc :)”
~ Cheryl Shuman

Steve Elliott ~alapoet~
on May 14, 2014 at 4:23 pm

Oh, you do plenty of those “wonders” on your own.

On the bright side, it’s heartening that you now actually ANSWER to your proper name of Rectal Russ…

Steve Elliott ~alapoet~
on May 14, 2014 at 4:23 pm

Just what we need, some clueless person mouthing dumb platitudes about “infighting” instead of actually looking into the issue. Save it for someone who enjoys that sort of thing.

Steve Elliott ~alapoet~
on May 14, 2014 at 4:21 pm

I will continue calling bullshit, and bullshitters in this movement and elsewhere.

If that makes you uncomfortable, then that’s just the way it’s gonna be.

Fairuse
on May 14, 2014 at 3:22 pm

Russ, please read my comment above. It was made out of love.

Fairuse
on May 14, 2014 at 3:17 pm

Steve and Russ need to suck it up and quit the back and forth vitriol we’ve born witness to for years. A great number of us have deep respect for both of you. Russ, I’ve followed you for decades and Steve your publications have been a forum for forward, reasoned thinking and analysis for tens of thousands. You’re like two bitchy uncles at Thanksgiving. We all know your back story issues but most of us don’t care. Put aside the things you will NEVER agree on and fucking tolerate each other for us AND the greater good.
We’ve all suffered the same slings and arrows in the movement. From the first sneers of disapproval over the counter while buying our first issues of High Times to the literal and figurative lashings at the hand of law enforcement. We share the same history of community pariah and corruptor of youth when we no longer concealed our beliefs. Climb down off your plinths before you’re two drooling geriatrics shaking your canes at each other from across the common room while the rest of us old troopers enjoy our autumn years, having long since forgotten two bitter old men.

It all sounds very unfortunate, but this kind of drama is not productive.
I will be happy to pay attention to any future endeavours of Serra Frank or Candace Junkin.

Crissie Brocksmith
on May 14, 2014 at 9:37 am

Infighting exists and is ugly for sure. But I don’t think this is simple infighting among activists. I see the potential for serious greed already rearing its disgusting head in the “industry”. It’s more about wanting to make sure the most vulnerable ones effected, the patients and their loved ones, don’t get used, taken advantage of, given false hope and then running out of time, losing a sick child and being cast aside like garbage while the search for the next target continues. Infighting is one thing, it happens, it’s unproductive and dumb. But this smacks of something much more sinister and bothersome.

Well, I was not on the Main Stage for any smarmy ceremonies, but if it gives you another chance to spout invective, have at it. I’m sure it plays well with your readership. I know it does wonders for the mainstream’s evaluation of our movement’s maturity.

Toni Moreland
on May 13, 2014 at 10:46 pm

Sorry that something so grassroots will have her name on it. We can only advocate for other groups focused on the actual cause. Hopefully “Moms” will take a backseat. We definitely do not need her marketing to RJ Reynolds. …. I feel weve lost something that could have been great. But instead will be whored til its death. RIP.

Candace Junkin
on May 13, 2014 at 8:44 pm

Well done. And thank you. It’s heartening to know that other people SEE. <3

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